Cargo center would be first of its kind

The Louisiana Airport Authority is working to create something that has never been done in the nation.

Glenda Jeansonne, executive director of LAA, said the LAA is ready to select a site for the $2.1 billion Intermodal Cargo Center that will be the first of its kind.

The authority is gearing up for what officials are calling the most critical step in its 10-year history.

"It's a visionary plan to connect air, rail, water and roads in a unique transportation network," Jeansonne said. "We've been working on this since 1992. Now we are ready to begin selecting a site."

At its Sept. 20 meeting, the authority authorized Chairman Glen Smith to accept the grant from the Federal Aviation Administration for the feasibility and site-selection study.

Jeansonne said the funding from the FAA is expected soon.

She said the study will determine the location of one of the world's largest networks of its kind.

"This project will be very unique to the United States," Jeansonne said. "There is none like it in the United States."

Officials said the site has potential to provide all types of services at one location that will make a difference.

"We would be looking at sites which have air, rail, highway and waterways access," Jeansonne said. "We are looking for a site with 25,000 acres so we can provide space for manufacturing facilities on site so they can manufacture products and ship them there. We will be working in coordination with any of the other state projects going on. However, this is not in conjunction with any other projects."

Smith said the Intermodal Transportation Center will make a difference in the state.

"Because of the multi-modal aspect of this project, it will create opportunities throughout the state for various business development or expansion," Smith said. "This would be the largest economic development tool ever conceived for the state of Louisiana."

Jeansonne said the need exist.

"Most Louisiana-made goods are exported through Miami, not Louisiana airports," she said. "No Louisiana airport has the ability to handle increasing cargo demands. Louisiana desperately needs economic development. It ranks 50th in the nation in poverty and has seen a net loss of 42,000 people over the past 10 years -- many of them young people who are leaving because of job opportunities in other states."

Jeansonne said the new project would boost the state's economy.

"No other intermodal facility offers access to the Mississippi River, which is the busiest river in the world," she said. "With this project, rail, road and air will all be in one . uniquely positioning Louisiana to become a key hub for trade with Latin and South America."

Jeansonne said this project is unrelated to the proposed Millennium Port Project being discussed by the state.

After completing a risk analysis study in June it showed the intermodal project poses little or no risk to the state, and has great potential, said Karen Boudoir, LAA Media Consultant.

Officials said the progress of the intermodal project is much further along than the Millennium Port Project.

She said the FAA is expected to give LAA the go-ahead soon for the next phase, a $4.5 million study, set to begin this month.

Jeansonne said the study will narrow down site possibilities and address environmental concerns, a preliminary master plan, study roadway and rail access, infrastructure requirements, financial feasibility and will involve the public through public hearings and meetings.

"Before the study begins we will hold a public meeting to inform citizens of exactly what this study will entail," said Winfield Bee, of URS Corp., the lead consultants for the project. "The public will be involved throughout the process."

Also this month, Jeansonne said the Louisiana Airport Authority will issue world-wide a request for qualifications seeking private investors interested in designing, building and operating the Intermodal Transportation Center through a public-private partnership with the state.

"Private investors would foot most of the bill at a ratio of 82 percent of private dollars to 18 percent of public dollars," she explained. "Investors are already lining up, The Wolman group, based in Philadelphia, has said it's willing to pledge up to $5 billion to the project."

It was determined during the risk analysis that Phase 1 of the project is estimated to cost $2.1 billion.

Jeansonne said there are currently no sites under consideration. The study is expected to identify as many as three potential sites by spring of 2002.

"The airports have been looked at but none of them have the 25,000 acres that we need," she said. "All sites meeting the requirements will be considered."

She said LAA expects to identify the private developer by the first quarter of 2002.